
Class J2.^j>^54£. 

Book 

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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



LAYS of the LAKES 



BY 



JOHN C. WRIGHT 




RICHARD G. BADGER 

THE GORHAM PRESS 
BOSTON 



Copyright, ign, by John C. Wright 



All Rights Regerved 









The Gorham Press, Boston, U. S. A. 



©GI.A30ifl87 

I 



DEDICATION 

To the literati whose purpose is not to write 
books but to read them; who squelch bad authors 
and bid fair ones live, thereby making literature, 
moulding public opinion and shaping the destiny of 
nations, this volume is lovingly inscribed, in the hope 
that its merits will outweigh its shortcomings and 
that it may become a worthy addition to the litera- 
ture of the Great Lakes. 

John C. Wright. 

Harbor Springs, Mich., April 14, 191 1. 



Where zephyrs steal softly through balsam and 

pine, 
And the soul feels the joy of a love that's divine. 



CONTENTS 

Page 

Sailing Song 7 

The Sky 7 

A Natural Band 8 

On the Death of an Old Indian 9 

A Song of the Forest 9 

Alone in a Field lO 

A Tale of the Bah-go-ting 1 1 

The Village Barber Shop I2 

A Woodland Melody 13 

The Horses and the Men 14 

The Dream City 15 

Julie and Joe 16 

The River 17 

Why the Beaver's Tail is Flat 17 

A Song of Life 18 

My Lady's Eyes 19 

To a Snow Bird 20 

Pe-tah-se-ga 20 

The Lumber-Jack 26 

Money Talks 28 

A Wish 29 

Constancy 29 

The Tragedy of King Strang 30 



SAILING SONG 

Sailing along to a sailing song, 

Oh, that is the life for me; 
On sea legs prancing, 
With white caps dancing. 

Sailing along with a heart that's free — 

Sailing, sailing over the sea. 

Sailing and singing's the life for me. 

Out on the lake where the billows break, 
Out in a rolling sea; 

Gray gulls screaming, 

Bright hulls gleaming, 
That is the place where I long to be — 
Sailing, sailing, sailing along, 
Sailing and singing a sailing song. 

THE SKY 

Turn upward thy face 

To the wonders that lie 
In oceans of space 

And fields of blue sky; 

To meteors hurled 

Past fast-fleeing Mars, 
As planets are whirled 

In the dance of the stars; 

To the splendor on high. 

To the grandeur at night, 
As a comet sweeps by 

Majestic and bright! 



The morning of life 

Saw its banners unfold — 
'Twill be strong in the strife 

When cosmos grows old. 

Though I never may know 

The secret of time, 
My soul is aglow 

With the vision sublime. 

A NATURAL BAND 

A natural band 

In the forest grand 

Makes the sweetest music in all the land. 

A pine tree's moan for the leading place, 
A hemlock's groan for the double bass ; 
A partridge drumming on a moss-grown log 
With trap-work coming from a marshy bog ; 
A bull frog croaking and the warble of a thrush ; 
The tooting of a piper from its hiding in the brush ; 
A merry band of chirpers singing on the sand. 
And a hundred subtle voices sending gladness o'er 
the land. 

The yellow-hammer's rapping and the bluejay's call 
Keep time to the rhythm of the cataract's fall ; 
Not a sound nor a crackle that isn't in tune, 
From the barking of the squirrel to the wild wren'* 

croon. 
I admit that the piped and the stringed notes, too. 
Have charms that are pleasant and joys that are 

true — 

But a natural band 

In the forest grand 

Makes the sweetest music in all the land. 

8 



ON THE DEATH OF AN OLD INDIAN 

An aged brave and his mush-ke-mood,* 
Splitter of splints and cutter of wood — 
Many a time have I seen him there, 
Making his arrow^s and baskets rare. 

^ 9|? tIc y^ tIv y 

They've laid him to rest in the sand by the shore, 
And claim he has gone to return no more. 

Epitaph 

To my call there is no answer, 

But his spirit has not gone — 
It dwelleth in the forest 

And greets me there at dawn ; 
It lingers in the maples, 

It murmurs in the stream, 
I hear it in the branches, 

It whispers in my dream ; 
It fills all living creatures 

With simple faith each day — 
His spirit lives on ev'ry hill 

And will not go away. 

A SONG OF THE FOREST 

When city air stifles and heat demons blow. 
To the wilds of the North let the lorn mortal go — 
There Nature in fullness proclaims to the earth 
A season of pleasure, of joy and of mirth. 
The birds are all singing their sweetest refrains. 
The grasses and leaves have replied to the rains, 
And o'er hilltops and valleys, by rivulets sheen, 
Have woven a carpet of loveliest green. 



*Bag made from basswood bark. 
9 



The voices of Nature sing softly and sweet 

To the slaves of the city — the serfs of the street: 

''Come, come to the North, where the wild flowers 

grow, 
Where the whippoorwill calls and bay breezes blow ; 
Come, follow the birds in their northerly flight, 
Come, join in their carols and share their delight." 
The pewits, the thrashers, the bluejays and all 
That rejoice in God's freedom unite in the call ; 
E'en the lone little cricket sings loudly and clear 
His bright gladsome message of welcome and cheer: 
"Come with me! Come with me!" is the plea he 

pours forth, 
"Oh, come, and be glad in the woods of the North!" 

ALONE IN A FIELD 

Sweet Solitude, what joys thy friendship brings! 
Thy silvan nooks of wealth untold. 
Thy lakes and streams of limpid gold 

Where pageants rise on silv'ry wings. 

Enchanted Fancy wanders far — 

With argosies it sweeps the seas, 
Disports upon the flying breeze 

And rests in triumph on a distant star! 

To elysian caves it takes its flight. 

And on a wondrous stage 

Beholds the wealth of ev'ry age 
Displayed to its delight. 

It views great armies in the field — 

'Mid sound of clashing arms 

And blare of fierce alarms 
Sees vanquished to their victors yield ! 

lO 



And as the shouts of battle cease, 

It hears upon a distant hill 
The music of a rippling rill 

Where shepherds feed their flocks in peace. 

So he who loveth Solitude 

In golden siknce reigns 
O'er valleys, hills and plains. 

Serene in nature's sweetest mood. 

A TALE OF THE BAH-GO-TING* 

On a fairy isle, 'neath northern skies, 

A chief with princely dower. 
Ruled o'er his people in counsels wise, 

Nor feared he the Evil Power. 

But a villainous monster plotted long 

In his cave by the shining water, 
And by the lure of a magic song 

Enchanted the chieftain's daughter. 

Far under the banks of the rushing tide 
He carried her — cool, designing; 

And many have seen her by his side 
In the deep sea water pining. 

In derision he promised to come on shore. 

His treasure to deliver: 
"When Bah-go-ting's roar is heard no more 

And silently flows the river." 

He dashes the surf where the waters fall, 

His tail the river lashes; 
He laughs in glee at the other's call, 

And turns and squirms and splashes. 



^Soo River rapids. 

II 



The sorrowing chieftain tries and tries 

To still the rushing water, 
And ever and ever he cries and cries: 

"Maw-chon if Maw-chon! My daughter!" 

THE VILLAGE BARBER SHOP 

The old barber shop, I remember it well, 

Where the town loungers gathered, their stories to 

tell; 
Where the deer and the rabbits were killed by the 

score 
And their bodies in windrows were heaped on the 

floor. 
Where the trout and the herring were caught by the 

ton 
And sturgeons were massacred just in mere fun. 

And when the good barber grew weary of talk. 
And wished that the *'blowhards" would go for a 

walk. 
Some fellow would venture: "I guess I'll get 

shaved" — 
Then the barber smiled kindly — we knew we were 

saved. 
So we'd laugh and we'd shout while his razor he'd 

strop, 
And high times we had in that old barber shop ! 

Then, here's to the place, may its fame never die, 
May its barber when summoned by "next" from on 

high. 
Be led to a room which is full of delight — 
Where they'll let him off early on Saturday night — 
Where he won't have to lather nor powder the chin, 
And where "blowhards" will have a "close shave" 

to get in. 



t"Come here!" 

12 



A WOODLAND MELODY 

When the world is all aweary with its rumble and 

its toil; 
When the daily grind of commerce brings a grumble 

from the soil ; 
When the city hums a discord to the yearnings of the 

soul — 
Then I long to hear the waters of some woodland 

river roll; 
Then I sigh to roam the forest just to hear its 

branches sway 
In a symphony of Nature, as the zephyrs gently play ; 
Just to listen to the music in the whisper of the 

trees ; 
Just to feel the breath of freedom as it floats upon 

the breeze. 

From fairy caves of fragrance flows the gladness 
far and near, 

And airy waves of cadence sound a rhapsody of 
cheer. 

Every living thing rejoiceth and the notes are all 
attune, 

From the clatter of the squirrel to the feathered 
mother's croon. 

On a distant log, mysteriously, a partridge drums 
away, 

As a warbler from its aerie pipes a merry rounde- 
lay; 

Intermingled strains of sweetness from a silver- 
throated thrush; 

There a lonely owl is hooting. Then, a breathless, 
deathlike hush. 

Till the woods and waters echo with the clarion 
of a loon — 

Oh, what ecstacy of pleasure in a simple woodland 
tune ! 

13 



In the pastimes of a people there are joys of many 
kinds ; 

In the turmoil of a city there are charms for many 
minds: 

But when the heart is heavy with life's struggle and 
its care, 

When all the world about us seems a desert of des- 
pair — 

Then how good it is to ramble where the winds 
and waters roll 

And the harbingers of Nature with their gladness 
fill the soul. 

THE HORSES AND THE MEN 

A teamster by the name of Bill once reached a steep 
and rocky hill; 

His horses sought a little rest before they started 
toward the crest; 

Which, making William swearing mad, he fast be- 
gan to play the gad. 

But though he whipped his team with vim, it 
wouldn't stir an inch for him. 

Then Bill got out into the road, and with a prod 
began to goad; 

He cursed and swore — the team he'd kill — if it re- 
fused to mount the hill. 

But all his efforts did no good — the tired horses 
mutely stood. 

Just then a fellow came along, merrily humming a 

bit of song. 
"Give me the lines," said he to Bill; "I've often 

driven up that hill." 
He caught the nearest horse's head and patted it 

and gently said: 
"Old boy, you've got a heavy load, and a mighty 

steep and rocky road ; 
14 



But when you've rested up a bit, I'll bet that you 

can travel it." 
To the other one he did the same, and both the 

horses, though quite lame. 
Looked up and made this mute reply: **For friends 

like this we'll pull or die !" 
When in his hands the reins he took, the horses gave 

a faithful look; 
Now eager to perform the task, they scarce could 

wait for him to ask. 
Their muscles swelled, their bodies swayed, and 

with a rush they took the grade; 
Nor did they falter, swerve or stop until they 

reached the very top. 
Then Bill looked up and said, **By Gee! No team 

would pull like that fer me!" 
"Just listen," said the man to Bill; "kind words 

will level any hill, 
And if you'd have a horse obey, horse sense your- 
self you must display." 

THE DREAM CITY 

I've fashioned a beautiful city — 

A city of purple and gold. 
With spires and temples and turrets 

Surpassing the splendors of old. 

Where the rich and the humble are equal, 
Where Justice and Honor prevail; 

Where the good and the true are encouraged, 
And none but the unworthy fail. 

And often when tired and restless. 

My spirit seems weary of life, 
I wander afar to this city. 

Forgetting the world and its strife. 

15 



So continue to build, O, ye people, 

In mortar and plaster and clay — 
My city shall stand as the rival 

Of the best that is builded today. 

And when at life's close I am summoned 
To a country more pleasing and fair. 

Who can say that I shall not then enter 
These castles I've built in the air? 

JULIE AND JOE 

or Joe was a Frenchman dat work roun' de mill, 
'Bout t'ree minute walk fas' on top of de hill; 
He was happy an' livelee from morning teel night, 
An' his only mistake was, Joe like to get tight. 
So Julie one morning say: "Joe, dis won't go. 
You got to stay home an' hang on to your dough!" 
Den Joe he got mad an' he hang on so tight 
Julie can't get de money for buy dem a bite. 
Den she tell HI Peter to get de tranneau 
An' hitch up his dog — to de ville he mus' go 
An' tell de physish she 'tink Joe's got la grippe — 
To come in a hurry an' see what's de rip. 

When de doctaire arrive dare, he feel of Joe's tick, 

An' say very sadly: **De man is not sick!" 

Den Julie say: "Yes, sir, la grippe is ail Joe — 

He grip all de money an' will not let go." 

Den de doctaire he laugh an' he say wid a smile : 

*T11 fix up your Joseph in one lil while." 

Den he pour out some brandee an' give him to 

drink — 
An' Joe was recover before dey could t'ink. 
He yell like a loon bird an' run his hand down 
An' t'row out his money all over de groun'; 
An' Julie was tickled way down to her shoes, 
i6 



An' she picked up de money while Joe drink de 

booze. 
Now Julie an' Joe dey live happy an' quite, 
'Cause Julie lets Joseph drink wine an' get tight; 
An' Joe he don't see how his pocket is rob', 
For Julie, I tell you, is onto her job. 

THE RIVER 

Come stand on the bridge of an ev'ning, 

When the lights are burning low. 
And look at the wonderful pictures. 

As the shadows come and go. 

The rippling water of silver 

With its looming hulks of gray. 
Reminding one of a mystic isle 

Where goblins run and play. 

Like phantom shapes the figures rise — 

They crouch and creep along, 
Then quickly turn and march away — 

A never-ending throng. 

'Tis pleasant to stand by the river, 

When the lights are burning low. 
And live again in the fairyland 

That we knew in the long ago. 

WHY THE BEAVER'S TAIL IS FLAT 

A fox and a hare one day had a trial 

Way out in the depth of the wood ; 
The fox claimed that he could climb up a tree 

And the lawsuit would prove that he could. 

17 



The hare hadn't heard of the wonderful feat, 

And so didn't think it could be — 
The thing had been done but he was the one 

That knew how to climb up a tree. 

So an owl was chosen to act as the judge, 

And n ^volf and a rabbit or two 
Were called to the place to argue the case 

And determine whose story was true. 

But while they were talking and making much noise, 

A beaver just out for some sport. 
Went to cutting a tree which no one could see, 

And its fall put an end to the court. 

He was brought to the owl who loudly declared : 
"We must punish such mischief as that!" 

So they rolled on his tail a big heavy rail — 
And ever since then it's been flat. 



A SONG OF LIFE 

A man is born — the world is gay — 

It giveth joy and sorrow; 
He lives his life of but a day 

And dies upon the morrow. 

Unmindful of his soul's repose, 
He strives for fame and glory: 

At last a tablet marks the close 
And tells the same old story. 

The yearnings of his heart and mind, 
The quenchless soul-desire — 

Are doomed to meet a fate unkind, 
To languish and expire. 

i8 



Then what avails his little hate, 
His selfish, vain endeavor? 

The world Is heedless of his fate — 
But truth lives on forever. 

The lessons that the ages teach. 
The health that makes us jolly, 

The sermons that the woodlands preach- 
All point the common folly : 

The folly of a zeal to gain 
A weight of worldly treasure. 

Neglecting blessings that attain 
True happiness and pleasure. 

L'Envoi 

That Man is blest whose humble life 
Is filled with joy o' laughter; 

Who reaps the glory of the strife — 
The peace that cometh after. 

MY LADY'S EYES 

One day in far Egyptian mart 

I stood by a leopard's cage, 

And in the glaring orbs of fire 

Saw the dreaded look of hate. 

The fury of the breed flashed forth. 

As from the grated bars of steel 

It glared defiance at the might of man. 

Another day I looked Into a woman's eyes. 

And In their tenderness 

Felt the ecstacy of love 

And knew the joy of life. 

Then with the lovelight burning still — 

I turned away. 

* * * * * 

19 



t looked again — 

But love had turned to hate, 

And methought there gleamed in the pretty eyes 

A flash like the one at the leopard's cage. 

TO A SNOW BIRD 

When all the earth is cold and drear 
Thou singeth thy song of joy and cheer. 
Oh, that I had a faith like thee 
To keep me in adversity. 

PE-TAH-SE-GA 

The Indian Tradition of the Happy Hunting 
Grounds. 

Note. — This tradition v^^as first related to me by 
my grandmother, Mrs. Sophia Graveraet, a ven- 
erable old lady w^ho spent most of her life among the 
wild Indians of the Northwest Territory. The 
story was of general belief and varied but little with 
the different tribes. It was well known among the 
early missionaries and French voyageurs. I give it 
here substantially as it was related for hundreds of 
years by the savage tribes of the Great Lake region. 

J. C. W. 
Listen how a savage people. 

Knowing naught of Christian love, 
Found a gospel in the woodland, 
And proclaimed a God above; 
How the children of the forest 

Taught a life beyond the grave. 
And a happy, joyous future 

For the worthy and the brave: 

On the shores of We-que-ton-sing,* 



*Indian name of an indentation of upper Michi- 
gan, meaning "little bay." 
20 



Where the silver birches grow, 
Lived a chieftain great and mighty, 
Many, many moons ago. 

There he chased the bears and panthers — 
From the fiercest took the pelt, 

And the scalps of many foemen 
Dangled from his wampum belt. 

He was bravest of the warriors — 
He was fleet and keen of sight — 

The beloved of all his kinsmen 
Was Pe-tah-se-ga— "the Light." 

But one day a fever seized him — 
On his couch he had to lie; 

All his people came about him. 
For 'twas said the chief must die. 

On the softest furs they laid him — 
When his war-whoop loudly rang, 

And death-frenzied by his fever. 
From the wigwam door he sprang. 

Close behind him leaped Winona, 
Fairest daughter of his band ; 

She, the sweetheart of the chieftain. 
Called to him with outstretched hand. 

But Pe-tah-se-ga was heedless 
As a deer with fleeting bound ; 

He was eager on his journey. 

Running high above the ground. 

Then his mother, old No-ko-qua,t 



fNo-ko-qua was the only one who persisted in 
the chase. Mother-love was a surpassing virtue 
among the wild Indians. 

21 



In her grief was nearly wild ; 

On his trail she followed, crying: 

"Oh, Pe-tah-se-ga, my child." 

Many, many days she chased him 
In his wild and frantic flight; 

Till at last she reached a wigwam 
Just before the dusk of night. 

There a guardsman came to meet her, 
Backward motioned her in fear; 

Said : "This is the road of dead men, 
Tell me why thou comest here?" 

Old No-ko-qua thus made answer: 
"I am searching for my son — 

For a brave and noble chieftain — 
Have you noticed such a one?" 

Quoth the guardsman: "I am stationed 

By the Gitchi Manitou, 
To protect the giant berry§ 

As the dead are passing through. 

'"Tis the fruit of life eternal 
And the Manitou hath said. 

Those who taste it live forever 
In the regions of the dead. 

"Ev'ry brave must leave his tooth-mark, 
While I take his brain away 

That he may forget his sorrows 
And be happy on his way. 



^A large strawberry, a bite of which registered 
the warrior's entry into paradise. This fruit, there- 
fore, was held in great veneration. 

2^ 



"Yes, your son has lately passed here, 
But he tried to bite in vain — 

In a trance he journeys onward 
And will come to life again." 

Then No-ko-qua hurried after 
To a stream that swiftly flowed. 

Where a cedar's splash called spirits 
To the Red Man's last abode. 

In the stream were many minnows — ^ 
(Little children who had tried 

Crossing on the logs and boulders, 
But fell in the swollen tide). 

Many hardships she encountered 
Ere she gained the other side, 

Whence a pathway long and narrow 
Reached a prairie smooth and wide. 

When she saw this lovely garden 
Her amazement knew no bounds; 

It was dazzling in its splendor — 

'T was the Happy Hunting Grounds. 

Here she saw a little wigwam, 

Where the trees grew sparse and thin, 

And knocking at the door-post. 
An old woman said, ''Come in." 

When No-ko-qua told her story, 

In surprise the other said: 
"And I, too, have chased a loved one, 

But, alas! he's really dead. 



|[The Indians never killed little minnows, believ- 
ing them to be the spirits of their departed chil- 
dren. 

23 



"Here at night the spirits gather, 
And they have great sport and fun; 

If you'll stay with me, my sister, 
I will help you catch your son." 

Then she cut a length of canewood, 
And she trimmed it with a knife, 

Saying, "See, in this we'll put him, 
And you'll sweat him back to life." 

So No-ko-qua longed and waited, 
And at sun-down as was said. 

Came the music of the tom-tom 
And the war-whoops of the dead. 

And the warriors came in numbers 
To the field and danced about, 

And made merry until daybreak. 
When they ran and scampered out. 

And Pe-tah-se-ga was with them, 
But he did not have much fun, 

For he said his|| head was heavy — 
He could scarcely dance or run. 

Yet the women could not catch him, 
For the shadows blocked their way — 

In their faces poked their fingers. 
Saying,^ "Leave us here to play." 



II His brain had not been removed. 

^No women before or since have ever entered the 
happy hunting grounds — it was supposed to be ex- 
clusively a place for men. 



24 



Thus they watched and sought him nightly, 
Each receiving slurs and jeers; 

Till at last No-ko-qua caught him, 
'Mid his protests and his tears. 

Then she put him in the cane-length — 

With a stopper shut it tight, 
And with "bojo"** to her hostess. 

Started home that very night. 

After many days of travel 

She arrived there safe and sound — 

Brought the cane-length safely with her — 
Laid it gently on the ground. 

Then with bags of sand and fire 
Old No-ko-qua warmed the cane. 

And by loving care and nursing 
Brought her son to life again. 

All the people then were feasted. 

And Winona, so they say, 
Spent much time upon a costume. 

Garnished for their wedding day. 

And Pe-tah-se-ga, the warrior. 

Loved to tell until he died, 
Of the place where all his people 

Would be gathered side by side. 

Where their songs and whoops and laughter 
Would be heard forever more — 

Where they'd dwell in festive grandeur 
On a distant, verdant shore. 

**Good-by. 

25 



Thus the children of the forest 

Taught a life beyond the grave, 
And a happy, joyous future 

For the worthy and the brave ; 
Thus a people, wild, unletter'd, 

Knowing naught of Christian love, 
Heard the God of living nations 

Calling them to realms above. 

THE LUMBER- JACK 

What's become of Jim Brooks?" did ye ask me? 

Waal, stranger, I'm blanked if I know, 
But I think he has hiked to a country 

Where there ain't any sawlogs or snow. 
Although I can't tell ye fer sartin, 

I believe that they took him to stay 
With th' angels an' heroes in heaven 

At th' close of one cold winter day. 
Fer I don't think that God would be willin' 

To go back on a feller like Jim — 
He wuz only a lumber-jack, stranger, 

But they wan't no one truer than him. 

Yes, I know he wuz careless an' reckless — 

He never would stand fer a bluff. 
An' when he struck town with his stake, sir. 

He always cut loose like a tough. 
"Hi, Jerry an' Billy, ye devils! 

Come up here an' hev one on me !" 
That's th' way he would talk to his comrades, 

An' his money went easy an' free. 
But though he wuz rough an' unpolished. 

To his friends he was faithful an' true. 
An' th' day he drop't out o' th' game, sir, 

There vmz gloom o'er th' rest o' th' crew. 

26 



'T was down on th' Yellow Dog River 

That we lumbered that winter an' spring, 
Where an army of "cross-cuts" an' axes 

Made th' forest re-echo an' ring. 
A log hauler's wife did the cookin', 

And she sartinly fed us good chuck: 
Such pancakes an' sausage ain't common! — 

(We all envied that log hauler's luck.) 
She was blessed with a bright little youngster, 

A pretty an' sweet-natured lad, 
Whose voice wuz th' joy o' th' pinery. 

Whose laugh made that wilderness glad. 
I confess that I onct got a fancy 

That angels 'way up in th' sky 
Wuz jealous to have him in heaven. 

So they drop't him to earth frum on high. 

One day the young lad took a notion 

To watch how we brought down a tree. 
So he ran unobserved towards the choppers 

And stood there all anxious to see. 
All at once we heard warnings of danger, 

An' running far out of harm's way. 
We saw the great giant come crashing. 

As it toppled an' roared in its sway. 
Then a look of wild horror came o'er us, 

Fer that youngster stood there in delight 
A-watchin' the giant fall towards him — 

We covered our eyes from the sight. 

But Jim was right there in an instant — 

Seemed th' giant wuz bearin' him down — 
My God ! like a panther he bounded 

An' lifted the boy from th' groun', 
Then quickly he threw him from danger: 

"A miracle!" everyone said — 
Poor Jim! he wuz caught by the giant 

Which mangled his shoulders an' head — 
27 



An' although I can't tell ye fer sartin', 

I believe that they took him to dwell 
With th' angels an' heroes in heaven 

When that king of the pinery fell: 
Fer I don't think that God would be willin' 

To go back on a feller like Jim — 
He wuz only a lumber jack, stranger, 

But they wan't no one truer than him. 

MONEY TALKS 

Man's greatest friend am I, 
Yet, like some other friends, I fly 

When needed most; 
All things I conquer ere the grave, 
But power there one soul to save 

I cannot boast: 
So he who builds his hopes on me 
Must face alone eternity. 

For man I rear great domes and spires, 
Demolish time with rails and wires 

And level hills; 
I fashion, shape, display with skill 
The myriad fancies of his will 

And conquer ills: 
But at the bier I yield at length — 
The grave, alas! defies my strength. 

I am the prize of golden fame. 
The god of pride and ease and name 

And greed's desire; 
I urge men on to noble deeds, 
Provide mankind with all its needs 

And toil inspire: 
But at the grave cannot impart 
One touch of joy or ease of heart. 
28 



A WISH 

When death at length shall take me hence, 
I will not ask as recompense 

A crown and livery gay; 
But when my name they chance to see, 
I'd love to have folks say of me: 

*'He cheered us on our way." 



CONSTANCY 

Here's a toast to give the queen 

Who wins your heart at sweet sixteen: 

"I love your pretty sparkling eyes, 
The deep delight that in them lies; 
The lovely contour of your cheek, 
Your silv'ry accents when you speak. 
And if perchance I make thee smile 
It is an effort worth my while." 

And as your life you journey through, 
Fill up the cup to this one, too: 

"I loved you then, I love you still — 
I loved you once and always will." 



29 



KING STRANG 

OR 

THE TRAGEDY OF BEAVER ISLAND 

In Three Acts 

PREFACE 

Upon the assassination of Joseph Smith, the Mor- 
mon prophet, at Nauvoo, 111., there arose several 
aspirants to the honor of leading his followers. 
Among the number was James Jesse Strang, a gifted 
lawyer, originally from New York state, who had 
lately located in Wisconsin, where he embraced the 
new faith and said he had received a letter from 
Smith, just previous to the latter's death, appoint- 
ing him as his successor; he also claimed to have had 
a vision at the moment of Smith's demise, in which 
the Lord annointed him "teacher, ruler, prophet 
and protector" of the Mormons. Though but a 
recent convert, he gained many supporters through 
the logic of his arguments and the force of his bril- 
liant oratory. It is said that among the half dozen 
contestants for the honor, aside from Brigham 
Young, Strang was the only one who displayed any 
real qualities of leadership. Being defeated by 
Young, who had the advantage of an entrenched 
position and the powerful support of the Council 
of Twelve, Strang withdrew with a large number 
of followers, first to Voree, Wis., **the Garden of 
Peace," where he planted a "Stake of Zion," then 
to Beaver Island, (called by the early French mis- 
sionaries "L'Isle au Castore"), in Lake Michigan, 
where he founded his "kingdom," naming the cap- 
ital "St. James," in honor of himself, and on the 

30 



8th day of July, 1850, was publicly crowned "king," 
amid much pomp and ceremony. He erected a tab- 
ernacle and palace, constructed beautiful highways, 
and had a royal press. He took unto himself five 
wives, and lived in regal splendor, considering the 
limited advantages of the region at that period. He 
was twice elected to the Michigan legislature and his 
influence and support was solicited by no less a 
personage than President Millard Fillmore. Fi- 
nally external warfare with the "gentiles" and in- 
ternal dissensions culminated to overthrow his pow- 
er. Several conspirators formulated a plot to depose 
him, and he was fatally shot on the 20th of June, 
1856. During his last hours he was tenderly nursed 
and cared for by his first and lawful wife, who had 
left him when she learned that he advocated po- 
lygamy. 

Those who knew Strang say he was a wise, sa- 
gacious and able ruler, though oftentimes unscru- 
pulous and arbitrary. His "Revelations," orations, 
state papers and "Book of the Law of the Lord," 
reveal a keen intellect, strong personality, and a 
leader of men, whose prowess was not surpassed 
by any of his contemporaries. 

His kingdom perished with him, after an undis- 
puted sway of nearly eight years — the only kingdom 
that ever flourished within the borders of the United 
States. The dispersion of his followers by an irre- 
pressible mob ended the attempt to establish Mor- 
monism in Michigan. 



31 



Dramatis Personae 

KING STRANG. 

Mary Strang's first wife 

Alvira Strang's second wife 

"Aunt Betsy" Strang's third wife 

Sarah Strang's fourth wife 

Hulda Strang's fifth wife 

"Charlie Douglass" .. Strang's 2nd wife in disguise 

Dr. McCullough Aspirant to the throne 

Adams An actor in league with McCullough 

Esther In love with "Douglass" 

Mrs. McCullough 

Mrs. Wentworth 

Mrs. Bedford i t> u ir u- ^ 

Mrs. Johnson f Rebellious subjects. 

Mrs. Campbell I 

Mrs. Scott J 

Apostle John I "Destroying Angels." 
Apostle Isaac j j *= »= 

-^ ° , 5- Accomplices of the conspirators. 

Gen. Schwartz U. S. Marshal 

Capt. BuUis. .. .Commander U. S. S. "Michigan" 

Wilkins District Judge 

"Arch" Newton Leader of the Gentiles 

Joe Partout A French Canadian 

Julie His Wife 

Sailors, Soldiers, Officers, Deacons, Elders, Saints 
and Gentiles. 

Scene: L'Isle au Castore, an island in Lake 
Michigan. 

Time: Middle of the Nineteenth Century. 



32 



ACT I 

Scene I 
A room in King Strang's royal palace 

To Mary enter Aunt Betsy 

Aunt B. — I'm glad to see you, Mary; tell me, 
please. 
How fares the King and his first wife 
tonight ? 

Mary — The one whom people love to call their king, 
And who has been a "king" indeed to me, 
Is absent on some pressing work o'er which 
He seems to brood. He plainly is perturbed 
And lately tosses on his couch at nights. 
Much troubled by a sea of fear and doubt. 
And I, myself, am feeling ill at ease. 
But tell me, pray, why speak of me as first? 

Aunt B. — Ah, then my lady has not heard the news 
That's whispered all about our lovely 
isle? 

Mary — No, tell me what the gossips say. 

Aunt B. — That Strang, our prophet, wishes many 
wives 
And e'en this week will bring the second 
home. 

Mary — No, no, it cannot be! 

Aunt B. — But it has come on evidence confirmed. 

The sister named Alvira Field* is married 



*Alvira Field was a near relative of Chicago's 
merchant prince, the late Marshall Field. 
34 



To your husband even now and only 

waits 
The king's decree to openly declare her 

"wife" 
And legalize polygamj^ 

Mary — Alas ! if that be true 

The worst that I have feared has come to 

pass. 
Ah me, this wicked world is turning wrong, 
Since those we love the most we cannot trust. 
I fear I shall not long remain upon 
This lonely isle. 

Aunt B. — Pray, do not take it so to heart. The king 
Has given righteous cause for this new 

course 
And quotes the word of God to prove 'tis 

well. 
Why, bless you, dear, it seems so plain to 

me — 
If he should ask myself for third, I'm sure 
I could not answer "no." 

Mary — Feeble-minded 

Poor old soul. To think that I should listen 
To such arguments! He'll quote the Book 

for 
Any cause and if perchance it does not fit, 
He'll have a "Revelation." 
(Aside) I fear 'tis true 
For he has acted very strange of late. 

Aunt B. — You may as well submit — 

He's firmly set to husband many wives, 
And all so far consent. 

35 



Mary — Submit indeed! 

I cannot think he'd ask me to submit 
To such a plan, but if he makes request, 
Full well he'll find I'd swim across the lake 
Before I'd dwell beneath a roof of sin 
E'en though it be the palace of a king. 

Aunt B. — Well, suit yourself. I'll stay. 

Mary — You have no woman's heart 

If you would thus oppose an honest home 
And scorn a loving wife. 

A B — 'Tis the pleasure of the King, 

Whose word is law with all the faithful 

Saints, 
And ought to be with you. 

Mary — I have no mood to follow wrong commands: 
Let each one do what seems to him the 

best — 
No home where love's divided can be blest. 
I'll talk with him tomorrow. 

(Exit). 

Enter Strang and "Charlie Douglass." 

Douglass — I think that I shall like this place right 
well. 
Now, do not vex us longer with delays. 
But forthwith issue your decree abroad 
That plural marriages are just. 

Strang — This very night 

I'll say it in our holy tabernacle. 
I'll then make known to all the world, 
what I, 

36 



The Prophet James, did find upon the 
Plates of Laban. 

And then in sweet embrace I may receive 
The love w^hich thou dost give to bless our 

home. 
I seal the promise w^ith a sacred kiss, 
And offer praises to His holy name. 

Aunt B. — Just marry all the v^^ives you w^ish. King 

Strang, 
For all of me, but when you finish that. 
And then make love to all young men as 

well, 
I cannot blame my sister Mary when 
She says that nothing good can come from 

out 
This worthless Kingdom. 

Strang — Oh, ho! So you shall know the truth, 

Aunt Betsy. 
This handsome man is not a man at all, 
But second wife whom God hath in a 

vision 
Sent, and you shall be the third. 

A B — Oh, now I love you true more than the other 
two. 

Doug. — But he loves me the best of all the three. 

Strang — What hath thou heard my Mary say? 

A. B — She'd sooner die 

A thousand deaths than ever share your 

home 
With any other wife. 



37 



Strang — I knew she'd be no party to it! 

Aunt B. — You well 

May manage twenty kingdoms, I am sure, 
Much easier than two little women, 
If she be one of them. 

Strang — As usual you are right. 

In spite of it, the laws declared by God, 
Through me, must be fulfilled. 

Doug. — It is not safe for us to tarry here. 

This clothing makes me feel like walking 

out. 
Let's to the tabernacle. 

Strang — Yes, to the tabernacle. 

Where we may promulgate our holy laws, 
Restore to the chosen their ancient rights, 
And all our enemies deliver to 
The buffetings of Satan. 

[Exeunt.] 

Scene II 

Interior of Tabernacle 

Apostles, Deacons and Saints 

All sing — The Nephites destroyed, the Lamanites 
dwelt. 
For ages in sorrow unknown ; 
Generations have pass'd, till the Gentiles 
at last. 
Have divided our lands as their own. 

Enter Strang in church robes. 

38 



Strang — fiy the hand of an angel 

Was I given the Urim and Thummim, 
And from plates that I dug near Voree 
Translated the Law of the Lord. 

Then I was led to a beautiful isle, 
Covered with forests and flowers and 

fields, 
With a wind-sheltered bay to the east- 
ward; 
I was taken o'er hilltops and valleys 
Amid foliage fragrant and lovely. 
And one whom I asked for the meaning 

replied : 
''Here shall the Lord establish his people; 
He shall establish them here forever." 
So let us all pray for glory and peace ; 
And that our holy kingdom may flourish. 
Follow thou my commands to the letter. 

All sing — Ephraim's records, plates of gold, 
Glorious things to us unfold. 
Though sealed up they long have been. 
To give us light they now begin. 

First Apostle — If the Gentiles shall harass thy peo- 
ple. 
What does the prophet command us 
to do? 

Strang — The earth is the Lord's and the fullness 

thereof ; 
Behold, we are the Lord's chosen people. 
We consecrate all for the good of the 

church ; 
We confiscate wealth in the name of the 

Lord ; 
He will bless us in all undertakings. 

39 



In a league with the devil are Lamanites — 
They shall feel a continual stroke. 
Mormons alone have a right to the earth 
And eventually shall possess it. 
Now the Lord through his prophet com- 
mands you: 
You shall marry, multiply and possess. 
For in eternity shall you be crowned 
Over all your descendants and children. 
So your ambition must be to increase; 
And a mourner can honor the spirit 
Of her departed in no better way 
Than to raise children up in his name. 
In support of the Lord's revelation 
A beautiful maid have I married this day 
And by this example, polygamy 
Is blest in the royal domain. 

Second Apos. — But many have come 

Who were promised this would not 
be taught. 

Strang — I cannot always teach the things I would — 
I tell you that which God to me reveals. 
And by this self-same token I command 
That every woman of the kingdom 
Henceforth her old habiliments discard 
For garments of divided type. For work 
The Lord does wish, the skirt is not ap- 
proved. 
(Murmurs of discontent.) 

Bed. — My wife will not consent; 

And if she does I'll never let her wear 'em. 

Strang — Stir up no strife. 

Lest thou receive the forty lashes, friend. 
I'm tired of you trouble-mongers. 
40 



Enter Joe Partout and wife, running, followed by 
several men. 

Joe — I'm shoot! I'm shoot! I'm killed dead, me! 

Juh'e— Oh, Joe, he's kill! 

An' me, myself, I'm almos' dead wid scare! 

Strang — How, now! What's all this row about? 

Went. — Those Gentile rats, they tried to steal our 
nets. 

Joe — No! no! 'Taint so, 'taint so! 

We drif ashore on one big sea an' Ian' 
Right there. We didn't mean no harm. 
Oh, please, have mercy, mercy! 

Julie — No! no! We never steal a t'ing. 

We are so scare. Oh, please, have mercy, 
mercy. 

Strang — No wanderer will seek a refuge here 

And ever come to harm. So have no fear. 

To Joe's pursuers, who have been drinking. 

Depart, ye sots, and let this couple rest! 
Do not defile our holy tabernacle 
With oozings of thy nauseous tainted breaths. 
We'll tolerate no drinking in this place. 
And woe to him who dares to sell the stuff. 
For rum's the bottom of all evil deeds — 
Makes light the head and dark and dull the 

heart : 
It must be banished from our isle. 



41 



To Julie and Joe. 

Now, come with me. 
I'll give you warmth and food and show you 

that 
The Prophet Strang is not so bad a man 
As painted. 

Joe — Oh, thank you, Meester Strang. 

I'm sure you are not bad at all! 

Julie — Yes, thank you many times. 

I'll always tell the fishermans how good 
A man you are. 

(Exeunt.) 

Scene III 

St. James. A Street 

Enter McCuUough and Adams 

Adams — Know you our kingship's latest move? 

McC. — No, what orders does he dictate now? 

Adams — Polygamy's the latest; 

And consecration likewise is upheld. 

McC. — The tyrant 

Must be checked or all will come to ruin. 

Adams — His revelations come so fast 

Of late I trust not in their potency. 

McC. — Why must we let this gay Old Rooster 
strut 
Around and lord it over all creation, 
42 



While we obey like hens and little chicks? 
I tell you, Adams, I shall put on spurs 
And fight this villain. 

Adams— I'll back you in't. Like good queen Mar- 
garet 

Used to say when I was playing Richard 
III, 

*'I can no longer hold me patient." 

He's outraged us by varnished tales and 
thinks 

We have no honor. 

Enter Bedford and Wentworth. 

But here come our friends 
Who have a cause to hate him more than we. 
Let's fan their passions into mutiny. 

What think you, Bedford, 
Since the king rebuked you in th' meeting? 
Wilt follow him as blindly as before? 

Bedford — I never liked him much 

And now despise the tyrant more than 
ever. 

Adams — And you, good Wentworth? 

I suppose you wish to toil and slave and 

have 
No favor of the king except the evil 
Glances of his envious eyes. 

Wentworth — You know full well I have no use for 
him, 
Since he by foul means seeks all I 
have. 



43 



Adams — Some months agone I put a royal crown 

Upon his head and dressed him up in state ; 
But he has proven false to all his friends. 
I think 'tis time to crown another king. 
I myself am somewhat judge of men, 
And friend McCuUough here I do vouch- 
safe 
Would give more honor to a throne 
Than half a dozen Strangs. 

Bedford — Why, yes, why shouldn't he be king? 

McC. — You flatter me, but 'tis no easy thing — 

We first must rid us of the king we have. 

Adams — You'll find it easy picking. 

In Richard III I slew six men and would 
Not hesitate to kill six villains more — 
(Aside) 

If they were here upon this street to fight 
With wooden swords. 

McC. — I have some money left — 

I did not give it all to Strang. 

Adams — What say you men ? 

For money, honor, duty and revenge. 
The spice that makes our lives worth 

while, will you 
Destroy King Strang? 

Went. — I'll do my part. 

Bed. — And so will I. 

Adams — Why sure! Who wants to live 

On cockle when it's easy to get quail? 

44 



McC. — Then meet us on the King's Highway at 
twelve. 
We'll lay our plans to make the Rooster 

sick ; 
We'll trouble him with civil suits and courts 
And give the Gentiles many clews to fight 
This would-be prophet of our faith. . 

Went. — 'Tis well. We'll meet you there at twelve. 

(Exeunt). 

Scene IV 

A room in Strang's palace 

Enter Strang, Alvira and Aunt Betsy 

Strang — I hesitate to let her know the truth. 

Alvira — The man who seeks dominion over all 
Is surely not afraid of one wee woman. 
We now are man and wife and I expect 
The homage that is due me and the honor 
Of your house. 

Aunt Betsy — Just tell her what 

You wish to do and show that you 
are master. 

Strang — Why, yes, I'm master in my home, 'tis 
true ; 
But many thoughts have troubled me of 

late — 
She's been a good and loving wife, I vow, 
And I do hate to cause her pain. 

Alvira — Oh, weakling! It is by revelation. 

We cannot change the laws of God for 
such. 

45 



Strang — Oh, yes, by revelation, that is true. 

We are commanded and must do His will. 

Enter Mary. 

My dear beloved wife. 
Together we have read the sacred book. 
The lessons that the prophets taught we both 
Agreed were right and just. And when I 

doubted 
You were first to offer reassuring words. 
The holy work you never cast aside, 
And mine own teachings you have always 

kept. 
Now by divine command I bring another 
Wife into the fold. Let me present to 
You the one to whom I was in spirit 
Sealed this day. I bid you welcome her. 
And hope we all may live in happiness 
And peace. 

Alvira — I know we shall be friends. 

Aunt B. — Why, fifty wives could live contented 
here. 

Mary — Have peace! We've argued on this point 
before. 
You told me on your honor at Voree 
That if I'd live with you upon this isle, 
You would renounce polygamy. 

Strang — I know, but I have 

Had a vision and the Lord commends it. 

Mary — It is not true. The Lord has never yet 
Commended contradictions. The book is 
Plain upon this point and never has been 
changed. 

46 



Strang — But you forget! 

The patriarchs of old had many wives. 

Mary — Yes, many wives and mistresses, that's true, 
Which was abominable to the Lord. 
He led forth his people to raise up a 
Righteous branch and will not suffer that 

they 
Do like unto the blasphemers of old : 
For there shall not any man among you, 
Saith the Lord, have, save it be but one 

wife, 
And mistresses he shall have none, for, I, 
The Lord, God, delighteth in the chastity 
Of women. 

Strang — But those are words for Lamanites and 
Gentiles. 
For us new laws are needed and revealed. 

Mary — Behold, ye have done 

Greater iniquities than the Lamanites: 

Ye have broken the hearts of your tender 

wives 
And lost the confidence of your children. 
The sobbings of their hearts ascend to God 
Against you. 
The Lamanites are more righteous than 

you — 
They have but one wife and obey the law. 
The Lord will not destroy them but will be 
Merciful unto them and will make them 
One day a blessed people. 

Strang — 'Twas I appointed to proclaim the truth 
And will not delegate my commission 
To a woman who understandeth not 
The ways of the Lord. I command you to 
Receive the truth or else vacate the house. 
47 



Mary — I shall be more than pleased to go, 

But remember thou the words of the Lord: 
"This people shall keep my commandments 
Or cursed be the land for their sakes." 
In evil deeds you will not find favor 
In the eyes of the Lord, but your kingdom 
Shall vanish from the earth. 

(Curtain.) 

ACT II 

Scene I 

A room in Strang's palace 

Aunt Betsy — It surely is a wild and stormy night, 
But in this cosy palace all seems 
bright. 

Alvira — ^Yes, all but the king, 

And he is about as sullen as the storm. 

Aunt B. — Since Mary went 

Away he doesn't seem to be the same, 

Alvira — With all of us here he ought to be happy. 

Aunt B. — Or miserable, which ? 

Sarah — Oh, I wish there was something to do 

Besides sitting around in this "blooming*' 
suit. 

Hulda — Let's dance. And who will be my partner? 

Aunt B. — Hush, ladies. Here he comes. 

Enter Strang. 

48 



Strang — Ho, ho ! So you are making merry, girls, 
Dancing and laughing while I am away. 
Well, what is the harm? I'd be happy, 

too, 
But cares and worries leave no room for 

fun. 
(Aside) If I had only taken her advice 

Misfortune would not now be haunting 

me. 
(A noise is heard outside.) 
Hark, I guess they've cornered me at last ! 

Enter U. S. Marshal, Officers and Gentiles un- 
announced. 

Strang — Who comes hither? 

Mar.— A stranger in search of health, wealth and 
happiness. 

Strang— Just find the first and you will have all 
three. 

Mar. — A fine time you are having here, indeed ! 

Women dressed like that should be locked 

up. 
And to be plain, sir, I have a warrant 
For your arrest. 

Strang — Upon what charge? 

Mar. — Violation of our sovereign laws — 

Theft on the seas and detention of mails. 
Come, officers, do your duty. 

First Gentile— You had better handcuff and tie him 
well. 
He's sly as a fox and bears a charmed 
life. 

49 



Second Gen. — One summer we hunted him almost a 

week 
With Indians and a posse of whites, 
. On an offer of three hundred dollars 
To take him to Mackinac, dead or 

alive. 
And what do you think? Why, he 

up and escaped — 
From our hands like a slipp'ry eel slid 

out. 
I tell you, you'll have to be careful. 

Mar. — If he gives me the slip you can call him be- 
witched. 

Alvira — Oh, how wicked they are! 

Aunt Betsy — Clear out of the place, you vile rats! 

Strang — There, never mind. I've lived up to the 
law, 
And being blameless accompany them 
Without fear. With my skill as a lawyer 
And readiness in debate at the bar 
'Twill be easy to destroy ev'ry charge — 
They can never convict Prophet Strang! 
Why, as Assemblyman I've been chosen, 
And with balance of power in the state, 
I can toy with the fortunes of men. 
My political comrades shall name me 
Executive of the state of Utah. 
Then rejoice! And woe to the Brigamites 
And all the foes of the Latter Day Saints. 
The Lord in his wisdom protects his ser- 
vant. 
And mark you, no bullet can pierce this 
heart ! 

50 



Farewell, I'll not be gone long. 

(Exeunt Strang, Marshal, Officers 
and Gentiles.) 

Aunt Betsy — Poor man! More trouble. 

But he's too clever for any of them. 

1 
Sarah — Why are they always nagging him ? 

Alvira — Because he's more learned than they and 
they're jealous. 

Enter Joe Partout, hurriedly. 

Joe — Where ees he? 

All— Who? 

Joe — King Strang. 

Aunt B. — He has just been taken away. 

Joe — Oh, zat ees too bad. 

I heard dey was after heem an' I came 
For to help heem. 

Alvira — Then you are a friend to King Strang? 

Joe — Oh, yes, he was good to me an' my Julie, 

An' now FU be good to heem an' his wives. 
Are all of you wives of King Strang? 

Alvira — We are all of us kin to King Strang — 
Spiritual helpmates and wives. 

Joe — Well, by gosh, it is nice to be king — 
Lots of fine women an' plentee to eat, 
An' everyone ready to run when you call — 
51 



I don't blame him for wanting de job. 
But now I mus' go an' help him escape; 
Dey won't put him in jail when Joe is aroun'. 
He was good to my Julie an' me, an' 
So I'll be friendly wid him. Bon soir. 

All — Bon soir. Bon soir. 

Hulda — Heaven speed you, worthy friend, 
May God be with you to the end. 

(Exeunt.) 

Scene II 

Federal Court Room at Detroit 

Judge Wilkins, Clerks, Jurors, Bailiffs, etc. 

Judge — The next case is that of 

The government versus King Strang. 
Is the defendant ready? 

Strang — I am, Your Honor. 

Judge — Where is counsel for the defense? 

Strang — Attorneys are trouble makers, the less 

We have of them the better are we off. 
If it shall please the court, I prefer to 
Plead my own case. 

Judge — It is well. 

You have that privilege under the law. 
Is the district attorney prepared to 
Go on with the case ? 

Dist. At. — I am, Your Honor. 

52 



Judge — ^Then proceed with the trial. 

Dist. At. — Your Honor, 

The government charges the Mormon 
king 

Strang, with high crimes, misdemeanors 
and fraud. 

He's indicted on twelve different counts: 

Among them the robbing of mails, the 
stealing 

Of timber and lands, and the passing of 

Counterfeit coin of the realm. All of 
which 

Point to his guilt without shadow of 
doubt. 

Not a Gentile appears to protest it, 

While we can produce here from round- 
about towns 

A host who will swear to his evil re- 
pute. 

All his band are but robbers and cut- 
throats — 

They take many wives and countenance 
theft — 

They murder, burn, pillage, steal and 
destroy, 

And I charge in this court it is wholly 

Due to their ungodly creed and belief. 

Judge, to Strang — What have you to say to the 
charge ? 

Strang — Two Gentiles I have who are willing to 
swear 
That Strang is an honorable man. 

(Motions to Julie and Joe.) 
53 



Judge, to Joe — Are you a Mormon, sir? 

Joe — No, no, I got only one wife. 

Judge — Do you know the defendant. King Strang? 

Joe — Yes, very well — he's a awful good man! 

Judge, to Julie — Do you know King Strang? 

Julie — Yes, I'm acquaint wid King Strang, 

An' I ask you for please let him go, 'cause 
I'm sure dat he never do wrong. 

Judge, to Strang — The court is inclined in your 

Cause and will hear your reply 
to the state. 

Strang — Your Honor, 

Persecution is my lot 
(And not prosecution), for righteousness' 

sake. 
The oppressed of the land have sought 

me for safety, 
And none were allowed to harm or mo- 
lest; 
Now because I've protected my people, 
Behold, I am to be crushed by your laws! 
Is there any among you who would say : 
"Kill him, because he Is good to his kin?" 
Alas! I am then as the Nazarene, 
And my oppressors are like to the scribes 
Who savagely hounded his steps. 
I am the leader of a righteous cause 
Upon the death of whose general, I, 
Prophet James, was forthwith called In h^s 
stead — 

54 



I have endeavored to lengthen the cords 
And tried {o strengthen the stakes of 

Zion — 
To carry out the order of Enoch 
In all of the beauty and fullness thereof — 
And thus glory do I bring to your state. 
Is it for this you would cripple my arm? 
Our fathers located in this far land 
To establish freedom of speech and the 

press: 
Shall we destroy all the blessings they 

fought 
So valiantly to secure? 
If so, I must weep for my cradle of birth. 
Perhaps misdemeanors were practised 
By some, but never with sanction of mine, 
For I have alwaj^s taught them that neither 
Gunlock nor sword be lifted defiantly ; 
And the city of our God shall be saved 
And the temple of his holiness shall be 
Unpolluted by any of our foes. 
No child was ever born out of wedlock 
In the kingdom of St. James, while the 

country 
Of my opponents is overrun with 
The fruit of illegitimate union. 
The cloud which surrounds by day shall 

bewilder 
And the pillar of fire by night shall con- 
sume 
And reveal them to the whole of mankind. 
I have banished whiskey, coi¥ee and tea 
And other evil products from our isle ; 
I have taught that men morally must be 
Equal or superior to women. 
Can ye say as much of the other creeds? 



55 



If ye shall find some tares among the 

wheat, 
Would ye root up all the fruit of the field ? 
Perhaps evil has been done in my name, 
But I swear to you, I am not guilty. 
The federal complaint is prejudicial. 
Malicious and weak, and therefore I ask, 
If it please the Court, to set it aside 
And allow me to go. 

Judge— 

The defendant is right. We cannot listen 
To prosecutions for religion's sake. 
The law guarantees to every man 
The right to believe as he shall elect 
And privilege to worship as he sees fit. 
Though sentiment be clearly against him. 
And he is shown in unfavorable light, 
The evidence cannot for that reason 
Prove to this court that Strang did any 

crime. 
Therefore we must, in the name of the 

law. 
Render unto the Mormon as we would 
To the Hindoo, the Gentile or the Jew, 
Full Justice, which under the statute must 

be 
To quash the indictment and let him go 

free. 

(Congratulations to Strang as court adjourns.) 

Scene III 

The Johnson Home in Buffalo 

Mr. and Mrs. Johnson. To them enter Esther 

56 



Esther — Two gentlemen named 

Strang and Douglass are conducting meet- 
ings 
In the town and making many converts 
To the Mormon faith which they 

espouse. I 
Stepped into their meeting place as I was 
Coming home and both the men came up to 
Me and spoke in wondrous words about a 
Kingdom they have founded on an island. 
The one named Douglass is the most at- 
tractive 
Man I ever saw. 

Mrs. J. — You shouldn't go into a place like that. 
The Mormons are a dangerous set. 

Esther — Oh, mother, no, they're just as nice 

As they can be. I told them that perhaps 
You might be interested in their work, 
And forthwith they agreed to call. (A 

knock.) They're coming now. 
(She opens the door.) 
Enter Strang and "Charlie Douglass." 

Good evening. Sirs, 
I welcome you. Here are my parents whom 
I spoke to you about. I wish that they 
Might hear your story. 

Douglass — King Strang, the leader of our faith, will 
tell 
Your parents all about our island home. 
(To her aside) 
And while they're thus engaged I wish 

to speak 
To you alone. 

57 



Strang — Come to this table and I'll show you maps 
And give you reasons why St. James is sure 
To be a booming town. 
(Mr. and Mrs. Johnson accompany him 
to the table.) 

Douglass to Esther — 

Promise me to go to Beaver Island 

For I cannot live without you any more. 

Since meeting you your face is ever on 

My mind. When I'm asleep and when awake 

I only think of you. Oh, promise that 

You'll be my wife. 

Then flowers will bloom and birds will sing 

And there'll be no winter only spring. 

Esther — I love you and I am willing to go, 

But cannot leave my parents here behind. 
If they will go with me I'll gladly join 
You at St. James. 

Mr. J. to Strang — 

Yes, I think you are quite right about it. 

Strang — What say you, Mrs. Johnson? 

Will you not join us in this land of 

promise — 
A land that truly flows with milk and 

honey — 
A haven of rest and peace and plenty? 

Mrs. J. — I'm so afraid it would be a bad move. 
You have certainly pictured it fine but 
Smooth words are the consorts of decep- 
tion. 

Esther — Oh, mother, don't be afraid. 

I am sure we'll be much happier there. 

58 



Mr. J. — Yes, Esther is right, we'll be happier 
there, — 
In the sweet freedom of a country home. 

/ 

Mrs. J. — Very well, you can 

Do as you please — I'll not stand In the 
way. 

Esther — Oh, goody, good, good. 

(She and Douglass embrace). 

Mr. J. — What will I do with my horses and bug- 
gies 
And all such cumbersome things? 

Strang — Charter a boat and transport them. 

There are plenty of houses and farms for 
all— 

You shall have what you want for the ask- 
ing. 

Mr. J. — Then, mother, we'll take along 

Dickie and Bossy and Shepherd — we won't 
Leave a creature behind. Life on a farm 
Will be better than staying in town. 

Strang — So now it is settled, we'll watch for you 
soon. 

Mr. J. — As soon as our things can be shipped. 

Strang — Very well, you will have a royal welcome, 
be sure. 
Come, Charlie, it's time we must go. 

(Exeunt.) 



59 



Scene IV 

A room in McCuUough's castle 

Mrs. McCuUough, Mrs. Bedford, Mrs. Wentworth, 
Mrs. Scott 

All sing — O, who that has search'd the records of 
old, 
And read the last scenes of distress; 
Four and twenty were left, who with 
Mormon beheld, 
While Jehova the faithful did bless. 

Enter Bedford and Wentworth, excitedly. 

Bed. — The king is free and is now on his way home. 

Went. — They say with great 

Display of wit he quite o'ercame the judge 
And made the court crowd puppets of his 
will. 

Mrs. Mc. — What now will become of us ? 

He will be more obdurate than ever. 

Mrs. Bed. — You've little reason to complain, 

Being one of his most docile subjects, 
Wearing bloomers and your hair cut 

short in 
Obeyance to his ridiculous commands. 

Mrs. McC— Oh, I do it just for fun— 

So's not to be different from the rest. 

Mrs. Bed. — ^You'll not catch me doing anything like 
that 
For fun or any other reason. 
60 



Enter Strang and Douglass. 

Strang — Here again you see your king, 

Safe and sound just as he promised to re- 
turn. 
All the Gentile cohorts do not have the 
Power to harm one hair of King Strang's 

head. 
I am more fearful of the evil here 
In my ov^rn kingdom— What is this I see? 
Sister Bedford wearing skirts that reach 

the ground! 
Go take them off at once and put on 
bloomers ! 

Mrs. Bedford— I'll not do it. 

Strang— Bedford, 

You must make your wife obey the king. 

Bedford— Hang the king! 

My wife is in the right and I uphold 
Her in it. 

All the women — So do we! 

And we will not approve polygamy. 

(Exeunt.) 

Strang— to Douglass — Charlie, 

Go and bring Apostles John and Isaac. 
I shall have my orders carried out though 
I wade ankle deep in blood to do it. 
Bedford, you shall answer to me for this, 
And Wentworth, remember that your wife 

and 
I are to be spiritually sealed 
Before another month. 
6i 



Went. — And you remember that before 

A month King Strang or I will not be here. 

Strang — Begone, you dogs! 

I've often heard men talk like that before. 
(Exeunt Bedford and Went.) 

What is it people call success? 

Just now I was the idol of the hour — 

I held the hosts of vile intolerance 

At bay and dreamed to be revered at home, 

Yet here I find but traitors all around. 

I cannot be in every place at once. 

And where I cannot be I'm needed most. 

Oh, Mary, how I need your counsels wise. 

Enter Isaac and John. 

Here j^ou are, who sought for rest and 

found it not 
Until I picked you up, placed j^ou at the 
Head of my Destroying Angels and now 
Ask you but to be faithful in return. 
Are you ready for the work? 

Both — We are. 

Strang — Then listen what I have to say: 

When my wish is sought and followed all 

is w^ell. 
Ye were chosen as the captains, being 
Brothers, in strife more likely to be loyal, 
The leaders of the lUuminati — 
So far have kept the secrets of the order. 
In you I trust. Tonight j^ou seize the 

traitor 



62 



Bedford, conduct him to the whipping post 
And give him forty lashes less but one. 
Now hear me for my word is law in this : 
No sacrifice too great ; no crime too bold, 
If it should be commanded by the king. 
It is no crime — "the king can do no 

wrong." 
If you shall fail, yourselves must undergo 
The cruel penalty known only to 
The Order of Illuminati. Go ! 
And thus chastise the enemies of Strang 
And make his subjects fear his wrath. 

( Exeunt. ) 

Scene V 

A room in Mary's home 

Mary, Adams, McCullough 

Mary— You say the king is tott'ring on his throne ? 

Adams — Aye, Madam, the kingdom 

At St. James is near the verge of ruin, 
All owing to your husband's evil schemes. 
Rebellion has now broken out among 
His subjects and the Gentiles press him 
hard. 

Mary— Poor man! 

Yet this is what I feared, for he who would 
Misquote the word of God for lustful gain 
Will end at last in ruin. 



63 



McC. — Indeed, you speak the truth. 

The end began when he declared in open 
Church in favor of polygamy and 
Took a second wife. And now his favorites 
Number four. 

Mary — Faur! In heaven's name, has he no sense of 
shame ? 

Adams — And fourteen others 

He declares are sealed to him in spirit. 

Mary — Oh, horrors! 

I pray, recite no more — it makes me sick. 

Adams — Madam, though 'tis sad, 

The half has not been told and we are 

come 
Soliciting your aid to fight the wretch 
And set our people free. 

Mary — Already I have rescued 

Several souls at peril of my life. 
Two girls whom I was told had been de- 
coyed 
Into St. James I did pursue and warn. 
Disguised as red men we escaped from him ; 
To have been found would presage certain 

death. 
I also burned his robes one day when he 
Had left the isle to tour the east in search 
Of whom he might deceive with Charley 

Douglass. 
Not in revenge did I this act, but in 
The hopes of showing him the righteous 

path. 
What further aid would you request? 

64 



Adams — 'Tis admirable what you have done, but 

He must be deposed — we need another 

king. 
You have the means to punish him and 

through 
The civil process of the courts to place 
The rake behind the prison bars. 

Mary — I think one king is quite enough. 

While I do not approve what he has done, 
He is my lawful mate whom I still hope 
Will live to see the error of his way. 
I would not enter into any scheme 
To do him harm. 

McC. — But he has injured you and ev'ry day 

He only heaps more sorrow on your head. 

Mary — It matters not. 

If he has done a wrong I cannot make 
It right by doing wrong myself. 

Adams — You are indeed a noble wife. 

As such you understand the love and faith 
Of wives and mothers everywhere. For 
those 
Of our fair isle we ask you to consent 
To this demand : Give us the right to start 
An action in your name. 

Mary— ^ He is the father of two sons. 

ril not disgrace his name nor yet attempt 
To place his kingdom in the hands of others. 
You are conspired 'gainst him, and being 
Willing tools at first, are rankest traitors 
now. 



6s 



If God shall will that Strang must fall 1 

hope 
His kingdom crumbles with him. 

(Exit.) 

Adams — It is no use, McCullough. 

If Strang could not convince her black is 

white, 
No chance can favor us. 

McC. — You're right. 

If all the women were as firm as she 
We'd have a better world. 

Adams — And fewer wives apiece. 

McCullough, she is more a queen today 
Than any man is king. 

(Exeunt.) 

Scene VI 

St. James. A street 

Enter Strang and Isaac 

Isaac — Know ye not that we are in the hands of 

God? 
Know ye not that he hath every power? 
At his command the earth shall roll together 
As it were a scroll. O, King, the Lord has 
Kept his blessings which his people should 

enjoy. 
To give the Gentiles who possess the land. 

Strang — Why speak ye of such things as these? 

Isaac — I'm sore distressed, 

For in a dream I saw our leader slain; 
And the Gentiles came to battle 'gainst us, 
66 



And we were spread like chaff before the 

wind. 
Alas! may this not come to pass. 

Strang — O, foolish man ! 

I'm proof against the vile assassin's knife, 

And bullets cannot harm your fearless 
king. 

Cease then thy worthless talk. Was Bed- 
ford thrashed 

As I commanded? 

Isaac — Aye, soundly. 

Forty lashes and three more to make him 
Long retain remembrance of his folly. 

Strang — Disobedient knave! 

The number I commanded were enough. 
Therefore repent, lest I come out against 
thee. 

Enter messenger. 

What's wanted? 

Mess. — The captain 

Of the lake marines requests your presence 
On his ship. 

Strang — Another plot. Ah, well. 

To forstall further trouble I will go. 

Enter Bedford and Wentworth. 

Bed. — There goes an officer with orders from 

The "Michigan" for Strang to go on board. 
We'll hide behind this pile of wood and 

shoot 
Him as he passes. 

67 



"Went. — What! Shoot him In the back? 

Bed.— Why, yes. Why not? 

Went. — That would be cowardly. 

Bed. — But not as bad as what he did to us. 

My back's still sore from flogging he com- 
manded ; 
He did not boldly seek your wife's affections, 
But he practised his designs behind your 

back — 
And in the back such dastards should be punc- 
tured. 
Besides, 'tis safer. I've practised well and 
Cannot miss. 

i 
Went. — Then in the back we'll shoot him. Standi 
There he comes! 

Strang — I think this Is McCuUough's work. 

The fool would step into my shoes and 

says 
He'll fight me to the death. Ha, ha, I do 
Not fear such cowards. I have his money — 
Ten thousand dollars — now let him do his 

worst. 
Besides his wife is steadfast In the faith — 

Bedford and Wentworth fire. Strang falls. 

Went. — Run for the ship, Bedford, 

And be quick — the government will protect 
us. 

Enter Isaac and John, hurriedly. 
68 



Isaac — Several shots were fired! 

John, stooping — The king is weltering in his blood. 

Isaac — Who did this deed? 

To the ship! The murderers must not es- 
cape ! 

Enter Capt. BuUis with marines. 

Bullis — You cannot go aboard my ship! 
They have surrendered to the U. S. A. 
And I'll protect them. 

Enter several Mormons in excitement. 

First Mor. — The king is shot! 

Second Mor. — The spirit of the Lord has ceased 
to strive with us. 
The king is murdered ! 

Third Mor.— The king is shot ! 

Now must his children perish and ven- 
geance 
Be upon the land. Save us, O Lord, 

save 
Thy children. 

AH — Woe is me! Woe is me! The king is shot! 

McCullough, examining the wounds — 
The king must die, 
Who taught you he was proof against all 

harm. 
He is no greater than the rest — just common 
Flesh and blood. And now we'll choose 
another king! 

Curtain. 

69 



ACT III 

Scene I 

A room in Strang's palace 

Mrs. Scott and Mrs. Campbell 

Mrs. Scott, reading — 

For once we were a delightsome people, 
But now like a vessel on the waters, 
Without anchor or sail or anything 
Wherewith to steer. 

Enter Alvira. 
What message from the sick room, dear? 

Alvira — The doctor thinks the king's no better. 
He asks for Mary, pleading all the time, 
And says the rest are nothing to him now. 
He wants to die in Mary's arms and begs 
That he be taken to her home at once. 
The doctor told him that he cannot move 

him. 
But he piteously pleads and promises 
He'll bear it all if they but let him go. 
I think myself it's best that he should see 

her 
Even tho' the rest say no. 

Mrs. Scott — Why, certainly, they ought to take 
him to her. 

Mrs. Campbell — I heard that Adams and McCul- 
lough were 
The ones who instigated King Strang's 

death ; 
They both would like to wear a monarch's 
crown. 

70 



Mrs. Scott — Yes, so *tis said; but 

'Twill do no good for they have fallen 

out, 
And Adams with a few blind tools has 

gone 
In search of thrones and crowns in 

distant lands, 
While Mac is hated worse than Strang 

at home 
And by the Gentiles whom he stirred 

to strife 
He is despised for treachery. 

Enter nurse. 

Mrs. Campbell — Are there no further hopes? 

Nurse — He pleaded so to 

Have us take him to his first wife Mary 
That the doctor finally gave consent. 
Such looks of happiness then wreathed his 

face 
It seemed he would rise up and run to her. 
Although he's badly wounded and 'tis 

claimed 
He cannot live beyond two weeks at most. 
We all cried at the bedside when he said: 
"I know she will forgive me. Now I'll die 
In peace because I'm going home to Mary." 

Alvira — I hope he'll reach her ere he dies. 

His other wives are nothing to him now. 
They all are ready to depart but me 
And I can plainly see that Mary is 
The only one to comfort him in death. 

Mrs. Scott — Quite right, and I am glad you see 

the truth. 

71 



Let's go and pray and offer cheering 
words. 

(Exeunt Mrs. Scott, Mrs. Campbell and nurse.) 

Enter Esther. 

Esther — ^What can It mean? Who is It I see? 
Oh, let my eyes deceive me rather than 
Be wronged so cruelly. Speak out and say 
I am mistaken. 

Alvira — You're not 

Mistaken for I am Charlie Douglass. 
In what you hoped that I could be to you 
You are deceived, but do not hold it now 
Against me. Our king Is dying and my 
Sorrow and distress doth match your own. 

Esther — This is the saddest moment of my life. 

1 heard the truth, but could not make my- 
self 

Believe until I saw It with my eyes. 

It cannot be — I know that I am mad! 

Oh, this is grief too great for me to bear; 

And yet I share the sorrow of the rest 

And do lament the murder of King Strang. 

I wish my mother's counsels had pre- 
vailed — 

We would not now be helpless in this trap. 

Our property Is gone — our home — and 
worst 

Of all our faith. Everything is lost. 

Alvira — Yes, dear child, 

It does look dark, but had he not been slain 
I'm sure none could complain. Compose 
yourself ; 

72 



You have a friend more precious than all 

else. 
Mere men and lovers often prove untrue — 
The only one to tie to is your mother, 

(Exit.) 

Esther — If Strang was known to be magnetic, his 
Second wife disguised was irresistible. 
I cannot be much blamed. Strang held do- 
minion 
Over some, but Douglass was in truth the 
King of Hearts. 

(Exit.) 

Scene II 

A room in Mary's house 

A knock is heard and Mary opens the door 

Enter messenger. 

Messenger — Madam, King Strang was 

Wounded at St. James by two dis- 
senters. 
He comes to you in a precarious state 
And asks if you will let him in. 

Mary — What news is this 

You bring? My husband wounded and in a 
Serious state! Yes, show him here at once. 

Mess. — I'll go and give the word. 

(Exit.) 

Mary — Alas, the deed is done! I knew 

The wrath of God would be upon his head. 

73 



No traitor^s steel has pierced this breast 
But I have suffered world's of pain. Oh, 

how 
My heart does bleed. 

Enter Strang, supported by aids. 

My husband! 

Strang, embracing her— Mary, Oh, I am so 
Weary, but this welcome gives me rest. 

Mary, to Strang's companions Help him 

To this chair. Be careful — do not hurt him. 

Strang — There. I'm well. 

(Asssitants retire.) 
Am I at home? And Mary is this you? 
Give me your hand so I will know it's 

true. 
Forgive me, Mary, I am soon to die — 
Oh, tell me you forgive me. 

Mary — I forgive you freely. 

Believe ye on the name of the Lord. 

Strang — I am so happy ! I shall die In peace. 

Mary — When Jared's brother sinned against the 
Lord, 
God spake to him and said : "If ye believe 
In me ye shall be saved." 

Strang — I believe. Oh, pray that I may be re- 
deemed. 

Mary — Those who believe shall be redeemed. 
74 



In Him shall all mankind have light and 

rest 
And that eternally if they believe. 

Strang — How insignificant is man! 

In his pride he forgeteth his maker, 
But the Lord cuts him down in his glory. 
You are a staff, I but a broken reed. 

(His mind wanders.) 
I am going home to Mary. 
What is that I hear? Angel voices sing- 
ing. 
Mary has forgiven me. Now I see 
The gates ajar. Farewell, I die in peace. 

(Expires.) 

Mary, kneeling — He is at rest. 

May the Lord receive his spirit and forgive 
His trespasses. 

Scene III 

St. James. A street 

Isaac, to him enter John. 

Isaac — All is lost. 

As was foretold the kingdom will desolve 
And ev'ry one will have to leave the isle. 
The work of all these years will go for 

naught — 
All goods left to the mercy of the mob. 

John — Then have you seen the king? 

Isaac — Yes, just before 

75 



They moved him I was summoned to his 

side. 
He gave instructions how to run the state, • 
And when I said the Gentiles were advancing 
Toward St. James with grave and direful 

threats, 
He commanded that our leaders who are 
Most obnoxious to his foes should leave the 

isle 
And thinks, that done, the kingdom will be 

saved. 

John — And are you not of like opinion? 

Isaac — No, no, there is no hope. 

The Gentiles are determined to expel 

All persons who adhere to Mormon faith. 

McCullough's with them giving aid and 

comfort 
To the foe. He hopes thereby to save those 
Loyal to him and his own worthless neck. 
And then expects that they will make him 

king. 
Already many who refused to go 
Have been o'ercome and forced to flee for 

safety. 
We must prepare to leave as best we can — 
There is no time to lose — I hear their shouts 
Of triumph now ! 

Enter McCullough and several Mormons, running. 

First Mor. — An angry mob well armed o'erruns the 

street ; 
The tabernacle has been set on fire; 
The stores are rifled and the harbor 

shore 
Looks like an open fair. 

76 



and Mor. — Our men and women march like cattle 

to 
The slaughter. All must take the boat 

tonight 
And leave the isle and everything behind. 
What shall we do? 

Isaac — We'll ask for mercy — we're not prepared to 
fight. 
But tell me why McCullough's running so? 
He's surely not afraid. 

First Mor. — Why, yes; 

They said if he was loyal to the faith 
He'd have to travel with the rest. 

Isaac — And does he call himself a Mormon still? 

First Mor. — Why, certainly, he wants to be our 
king. 

Isaac — Alas ! 

A traitor has no place on either side: 
His former friends will not confide in him 
And those who buy him will not trust his 
word. 

Enter armed Gentiles, led by Arch Newton. 

Newton — I command you to surrender. 

And to take the boat at once, which will 

land 
You anywhere you wish along the lake. 

Isaac — We have a right to stay within the kingdom 
Founded by us with much work and pains. 



77 



Newton — Your labor was against 

The spirit of our country and the state. 
The laws will not permit a kingdom to 
Exist within the confines of our land. 
You must obey my orders or be treated 
As enemies of Uncle Sam. 
I've asked my followers to be as gentle 
As they can, but at the least resistance 
I cannot promise that you will be safe. 

Isaac — May we then take our property along? 

Newton — Take what you can. 

But since your sect located on this isle 
The Gentiles of the land have suffered so 
I fear they'll ask you double pay. 

First Gen. — Yes, d — m the Mormons! 

We'll make 'em sweat for what they 
did to us. 

2nd Gen. — We want back what 

They stole. They're nothing but a gang 
of thieves. 

McCullough— Must I and all 

My friends who gave assistance to 

your cause 
Be thus outrageously expelled? 

Netwon — Yes, not a Mormon 

Must remain upon this isle, 'tis danger- 
ous 
To the commonwealth. Come, you must 

move away — 
No divine rights of kings in the U. S. A. 

Mormons file out, followed by Gentiles, the band 
playing national airs. 

(Finis.) 
78 



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